Tucked inside the Ovolo Central hotel, Veda is a vegetarian haven. The all-day dining destination's menu is globally inspired with dishes taking influence from Chinese, Indian and Nepalese cuisines, to name just a few. The aloo gobi and Silk Route momos are all firm favourites on the main menu, while the breakfast menu includes a savoury South Indian rice pancake with sweet tomato chutney and kale, spinach and avocado toast and more.

Miss Lee merges contemporary vegetarian cuisine with Chinese flavours and caters to a range of dietary restrictions with gluten-free and allium-free (which refers to the sulphur properties found in onions, garlic, leeks, chives and scallions and chives) options. The wholesome menu includes some superb options that a meat eater can enjoy such as sweet and sour mushrooms or mapo beancurd with aubergine. Along with a cosy and colourful restaurant space, Miss Lee has a street-side deli counter that serves grab-and-go veggie options throughout the day.

In case you missed it: ZS Hospitality Opens Plaa, a Thai Seafood Restaurant in Central

This Chinese tea house offers a range of tea that is among the best in the city, including specialist brews from Alishan Oolong to Wuyi Yanzhonglan, but if the wide and varied tea menu doesn't tempt you, the vegetarian dim sum will. One of Lockcha's venues is stationed within the historical Tai Kwun so diners can dip into Hong Kong’s cultural delicacies, whilst immersing in the city's heritage. Make sure to try the spring rolls, steamed turnip cake and barbecue sauce buns before finishing with sweet custard buns.

Lockcha Tea House, G06-07, Block 01, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2276 5777

See also: The Best Dim Sum in Hong Kong, According to Chefs

Serving traditional South Indian fare, Woodlands is well known for its quality vegetarian cuisine. Specialising in Jain and Buddhist food, all dishes at Woodlands contain no onion, garlic, or root vegetables and are 100% plant-based. Go hungry as there is lots to sample including huge dosas, uttapam, idly, sambar and more. For a taste of everything, we recommend opting for the South Indian thali or classic masala sosa.

Woodlands, UG Shop 16 & 17, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong; +852 2369 3718

Serving sophisticated Buddhist-Japanese cuisine, Isoya's food is beautifully presented but it's far from being style-over-substance. Here, vegan sushi is made with ingredients such as lotus roots and fried cherry blossoms, with every detail executed to the highest level and fresh ingredients from Japan. If you're dining here in the evening, opt for the daily kaiseki, a traditional multi-course Japanese meal. The lunch set, with its selection of appetisers (ranging from spinach with sesame sauce to natto mixed with okra) and fulfilling mains such as the popular lime some, is consistently good quality.

Isoya, 9/F, 83 Wan Chai Road, Wan Chai; +852 5500 8812

Years and The Park by Years in Sham Shui Po, along with Friends of Years in Tsuen Wan and Be with Years in Hung Hom, cater to vegans and vegetarians. The original space, Years, offers a veggie-friendly menu of curries, pasta dishes and burgers, while The Park by Years is totally plant-based. Sweet-toothed diners will be left more than satisfied with the array of desserts, including tofu cheesecake, brownies and poached pear vegan pancakes.

Years, 191-199 Fuk Wah Street, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong; +852 6338 3719

The Park by Years, 132 Yu Chau Stree, Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong; +852 5336 4000

Proving that vegans can have their cake and eat it too, Ohms Cafe and Bar serves a delightful range of plant-based sweet treats and fair-trade coffees. Aside from plenty of dishes to curb those sweet cravings such as pancakes, ice cream and homemade cakes, Ohms also offers a small savoury menu for lunch.

Ohms Cafe and Bar, Shop A, G/F, 192 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong; +852 5400 4236

Veggie4love took over Veggie SF in 2021 and continued to offer international vegetarian and vegan cuisine in a quirky 1950s-inspired space on Stanley Street in Central. Highlights from the menu include the meatless burger made with a vegan beef patty topped with tangy BBQ sauce, Vietnamese-style rice noodles, spicy vegan rendang and more.

Veggie4love, 10/F, 11 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2177 9477

Located inside the secluded Nan Lian Gardens in Diamond Hill, Chi Lin Vegetarian will make you diners feel worlds away from the busy city streets. The menu of MSG-free and vegetarian dim sum, noodles and a la carte dishes can be enjoyed while looking out at the beautiful gardens and architecture from the Tang Dynasty. Despite its peaceful location, the restaurant can get busy at weekends, so it's best to call and book ahead when planning a trip. For hassle-free ordering, go for the set for two, four or eight people, which includes a range of signature dishes.

Chi Lin Vegetarian, Long Men Lou, Nan Lian Garden, 60 Fung Tak Road, Diamond Hill, Hong Kong; +852 3658 9388

Mirror & Vegan Concept delivers a range of European-style dishes made for vegetarians and vegans. This quaint restaurant, with walls lined with a considerable amount of mirrors—perhaps asking meat eaters to reflect on their decisions—serves tasty dishes coupled with friendly service. The black truffle and asparagus risotto is a favourite on the menu, as is the classic spaghetti aglio olio e peperoncino.

Mirror & Vegan Concept, 9/F, 118 Queen's Road Central Central; +852 2868 0810

Helmed by chef Tina Barrat, Ma...and The Seeds of Life turns raw natural ingredients into colourful and creative dishes. From the chef's signature preserved lemon risotto with roasted green asparagus to beetroot tartare infused with onions, celery, capers, mustard and miso, diners have a whole host of vegetable-focused dishes to enjoy. Meat lovers will also love the faux-gras liver pate made with dried fruit chutney, keto bread and flaxseed cracker

From dan dan noodles to vegan cheese bagels, Root Vegan is a vegan restaurant that serves modern vegan meals in the heart of Central. This spacious cafe is perfect for a weekend of lounging and hanging out with friends while devouring plates of vegan delights such as the fulfilling Korean bibimbap and vegan chocolate cake.

Root Vegan, Shop 102-103, 1/F, Sunwise Building, 112-114 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 9850 9558

Soil to Soul, led by Korean chef Gu Jin Kwang, brings Korean-inspired dishes and sauces to the K11 Musea restaurant. The chef discovered the art of vegetarian cuisine from a Buddhist nun years ago and has worked as a chef for over two decades. Importing rice directly from Korea to ensure the quality of the food, diners will see vegetarian cuisine in a whole new light after eating here. The afternoon tea features healthy and vegan sweet and savoury treats too.

Private dining restaurant Sow Vegan serves a creative tasting menu with dishes so beautifully prepared and plated that diners will want to photograph every course. Run by a team of passionate plant-based enthusiasts and chefs, Sow Vegan makes all their baked goods from scratch. 

Sow Vegan, Room 1102,11/F, Hung Tat Industrial Building,43 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong, +852 9029 3009

Gone are the days when plant-based eaters struggle to find ramen restaurants serving veggie soup bases thanks to Soulmate Ramen. Their signature vegan ramen bowl is available all day and is loaded with vegetables of different flavours and textures. There are also side dishes vegan fried dumplings, Japanese taro and sweet chestnut croquette and more to complete the meal.

Soulmate Ramen, G/F, 16 Wo On Lane, Central, Hong Kong; +52 6378 8196

This article was written on July 13, 2020 and updated on November 1, 2022

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